Ruthenium‐Catalyzed C‐H Arylation and Alkenylation of Furfural Imines with Boronates

Abstract

A Ru 0 ‐catalyzed direct C‐H arylation and alkenylation of furfural imines with aryl‐ or alkenyl‐boronates, in the presence of benzylideneacetone as a sacrificial hydride acceptor, is disclosed. This reaction provides access, after hydrolysis, to C3‐arylated or vinylated furfural derivatives, and thus valorizes these relevant building‐blocks obtained from lignocellulosic biomass. This approach, involving C‐H activation by a Ru 0 /Ru II , cycle offers several advantages, notably simple, mild and neutral reaction conditions.